VISUAL REPORTS
Inside Russia, Apple Maps Crimea As ‘Russian’ Territory
RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service reports that, for users inside Russia, Apple’s Weather App has begun to show Crimea, including Sevastopol, as “Russian” territory. The Duma’s chairman of the Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption reportedly met with an Apple representative on November 27 to discuss compliance on mapping Crimea, which Russia forcibly annexed in 2014. Apple has not yet commented. (Ukrainian Service, Crimea Realities)
The List Of Countries Russia Is Accused Of Meddling In Is Long
In addition to the United States, it includes Spain, Madagascar, Bolivia, Italy, Libya, and others.
Kazakhstan's Sino-Skeptics: A Potential Snag In China’s Silk Road?
China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative has drawn skepticism across the border, where Kazakhs continue to gather to protest expanding Chinese loans and investment, including 55 planned Chinese enterprises.
Albania Observes Day Of Mourning As Quake Death Toll Reaches 25
The death toll from the powerful earthquake in Albania has risen to 25 as rescue crews redoubled their efforts to reach to possible survivors caught under collapsed buildings. Authorities said four more people had been confirmed dead early on November 27, with more than 600 people being injured in the magnitude 6.4 temblor -- the strongest in many decades -- that shook several of the Balkan country’s coastal cities.
OTHER NEWS
Naftogaz CEO Touts Ukraine’s First Receipt Of U.S. Liquefied Gas
The head of the state-owned Naftogaz oil and gas conglomerate, Andriy Kobolyev, has lauded the fourth consecutive year that Ukraine hasn't imported natural gas from Russia. Kobolyev noted that Ukraine went from being "more than 90 percent" dependent on Russian gas in 2013 to now importing fuel from 18 European suppliers whose individual share has not exceeded 30 percent.
Deripaska Reportedly Stripped Of Cypriot Citizenship
Cyprus has stripped Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska, a 51-year-old billionaire with close ties to the Kremlin, of his Cypriot citizenship, local media in the EU country report.
Ukraine’s Central Bank Accuses Kolomoyskiy Of ‘Creating Chaos’
Ukraine's central bank has accused tycoon Ihor Kolomoyskiy of organizing an attack on it and spreading "lies" in the media to "create chaos" at the institution.
Former Putin Security Aide Named St. Petersburg Deputy Governor
Valery Pikalev, the former head of security for the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been named deputy governor of St. Petersburg, a post authorizing. Pikalev to lead the city’s administration and be responsible for security matters. Critics of the appointment say the local administration has an overwhelming number of former law enforcement officials. (Russian Service)
Putin’s Ex-Wife Earned Millions In Real Estate Scheme
Russian media reports that a fund supervised by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ex-wife has earned over $2.4 million renting real estate in the center of Moscow to a company that is subletting it to state-owned VTB bank and a micro-loan company “Carmoney,” in which she reportedly has a stake. (Russian Service)
Zelenskiy Offers Award For 'Godfather' Of Smugglers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged on November 26 that Vadym Alperin, an Odesa businessman and reputed trafficker, managed to evade capture during a police roundup of suspects related to a corruption case in the State Customs Service.
Ukraine Head Of State Defense Giant Speaks To Current Time TV
Aivaras Abromavicius, the new head of Ukraine’s state-run defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom, told Current Time that 21 of its companies are located in separatist-controlled territories, 46 are unprofitable, and 43 have salary arrears approximating a total of $45.7 million. Abromavicius sees new business potential in public-private partnerships, and is hoping to attract international investment in major military producers like the aeronautics firm Antonov. (Current Time TV/Ukrainian Service)
Bosnian Presidency Chairman Visits Pentagon Amid NATO Membership Signals
The chairman of Bosnia-Herzegovina's tripartite presidency made a working visit to the Pentagon just days after the Balkan nation reportedly took steps to activate a Membership Action Plan (MAP) with NATO. It was Chairman Zeljko Komsic’s first official visit to the United States.
Protesters In Kazakh Capital Urge EU To Pressure Government On Rights
Dozens of activists rallied in front of the European Union's office in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, for a second day on November 27, urging officials to pressure local authorities over human and civil rights. Protesters held EU flags and posters saying "Freedom for political prisoners," "Your deals with Kazakhstan -- our slavery," and "No trade with a country full of corruption."
Xinjiang Kazakhs Urge Authorities To Release Relatives In Reeducation Camps
At a press conference in Nur-Sultan on November 27, dozens of ethnic Kazakhs from northwestern China criticized Kazakh authorities for their "failure to protect ethnic Kazakhs in Xinjiang” province, and urged the release of relatives in so-called "reeducation camps" who have been subject to physical abuse and torture.
Prominent Uzbek Rights Activist Yoqubov Dies
Tolib Yoqubov, a prominent Uzbek human rights activist and outspoken critic of late President Islam Karimov, has died n his native city of Jizzakh, one year after he returned to Uzbekistan from France, where he spent more than a decade in exile.
Tajik Security Official Muddies Official Accounts Of Border Post Attack
A Tajik security official's statement about a deadly attack on a border post earlier in November has contradicted initial reports about the incident.
Tajikistan Reduces Prison Sentences Of Prominent Lawyers
The 28-year prison sentence of imprisoned Tajik lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov has been reduced by six years as part of a recent mass amnesty. The 21-year prison term for lawyer Nuriddin Mahkamov has also been shortened, according to the prosecutor-general’s office in Dushanbe. Both men say their convictions were politically motivated because they defended members of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan. Yorov was shortlisted for the 2019 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
IRAN: Iran Takes Measures Against Staff Of U.K.- Based TV Channel
PHOTOGALLERY: The Treasures Of Dresden’s Green Vault